Few people realize how prevalent physical abuse is in teen dating relationships. But not all abuse is physical, and not all scars are visible.

"Most see [emotional abuse] as just a control issue, even those being abused. That's what makes this abuse so scary, the fact that those involved may never speak up and may not even recognize that it is abuse."

A teenager who's endured an emotionally abusive relationship could carry the scars with her for the rest of her life. If your teenager, or a teen you know, is dating someone who isolates her, blames her for everything, demands to know where she is at all times, or withholds emotion as a form of punishment, the relationship is emotionally abusive and the teen should end the relationship immediately. Source: Standard-Examiner (Utah)

Labels: abuse, violence, relationships

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The photo of Michael Phelps smoking pot has been circulated around the world. Though there were some consequences (like Kellogg pulling its sponsorship), he gets to keep his gold medals and most of his other sponsorships. So how does a parent use this story to talk to kids about the dangers of using marijuana?

"[Marsha] Rosenbaum [a sociologist] said the most important thing to keep in mind when talking to kids about drugs is that 'abstinence is really the best choice, but honesty is critical.' ... Rosenbaum said it's also 'no longer possible to offer the scare tactics that we've used for the last 20 years. You can't credibly say [that] if you smoke pot on Saturday, by the following weekend you'll be a heroin addict."

Rosenbaum encourages parents to use Phelps' story as an opportunity to share the facts, including potential legal ramifications. Nearly 40,000 people in New York City were arrested last year on marijuana-related charges, and similar numbers were arrested in other large cities, such as Atlanta and Cleveland. Source: Telegraph-Journal (Canada)

Labels: parental_involvement, communication, relationships

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Melissa Andrews of Great Britain died last October 11 of complications resulting from a drug overdose. Authorities and the girl's family believe her boyfriend may have helped administer the drugs.

"Portuguese national Mr. Coelho, then aged 27, was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance... Investigating officer Det. Con. Heather Mullins told the inquest: 'My opinion is yes - he was a party to the drugs being injected.'"

Melissa's parents hope that telling her story will prevent other young girls from getting into relationships with known drug users. Source: Dorset Echo

Labels: death, overdose, relationships

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Two new studies indicate that teens who participate in family activities are less likely to drink, smoke, use drugs, or engage in risky sexual behaviors.

The first study, from the University of Minnesota, found that teenaged girls who had five or more family meals weekly and had a decreased likelihood of substance abuse. Researchers surveyed 806 teens in 1998 - when the subject were 13 years old - and again five years later. The girls who had five or more family meals a week had only half the odds of abusing cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. However, the effect did not hold true for boys.

The second study, from Boston University, involved 5,000 teenagers and their parents. Those teens whose families spent time together in meals or "just having fun" were less likely to engage in unprotected sex. They also had a lower number of partners and incidences of unprotected sex. Parents who were "controlling and critical," however, increased their teens' chances of engaging in earlier and riskier sex.

Both studies appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Labels: parental_involvement, families, relationships

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